In an interview Tuesday, his first since he was named one of six finalists for the Heisman trophy, McCarron said he had a phone conversation with oft-maligned Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez before the Crimson Tide's Iron Bowl loss to Auburn.

"It's almost like living in a dream in a way because I've met guys that
I've watched and watched coach for so many years," McCarron said. "Now I'm talking to
them on the phone and meeting them in person. It's just pretty surreal."

McCarron said the conversation was arranged by Trevor Moawad, Alabama's mental conditioning coach who does similar work with the Yankees.

Through his conversations, McCarron said he learned that Girardi showed the team a video of him and former Alabama center Barrett Jones shoving each other during the fourth quarter of Alabama's BCS National Championship victory over Notre Dame.

"(He told them) that's the passion they need within their club again and stuff
like that," McCarron said. "It's just pretty crazy that they've watched me before and are
fans of me. Like I said, it's unbelievable."